Abstract: The present disclosure pertains generally to double-stranded small interfering RNAs that modulate gene expression for use in research, diagnostics, and/or therapeutics. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides double-stranded small interfering RNAs that modulate DUX4 gene expression. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of inhibiting DUX4 gene expression by contacting a cell with double-stranded small interfering RNAs.

Abstract: A method of carrying out adoptive immunotherapy by administering a subject an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) preparation in a treatment-effective amount is described. In the method, the CTL preparation is preferably administered as a preparation of an in vitro antigen-stimulated and expanded primate CTL population, the CTL population: (i) depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation; (ii) antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21; or (iii) both depleted of FoxP3+ T lymphocytes prior to antigen stimulation and then antigen-stimulated in vitro in the presence of interleukin-21. Methods of preparing such compositions, and compositions useful for carrying out the adoptive immunotherapy, are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments methods and compositions involving inhibitors of the immunoreceptor Natural Killer Group 2, Member D, (NKG2D) for inhibiting tumor progression and treating cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are Cocal vesiculovirus envelope pseudotyped retroviral vectors that exhibit high titers, broad species and cell-type tropism, and improved serum stability. Disclosed Cocal vesiculovirus envelope pseudotyped retroviral vectors may be suitably employed for gene therapy applications and, in particular, for the ex vivo and in vivo delivery of a gene of interest to a wide variety of target cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing viral gene transfer, such as lentiviral gene transfer, and improving the efficacy of gene delivery to cells such as primitive hematopoietic cells, are described. These methods and compositions are based on the use of pyrimido[4,5-b]indole derivatives. Cell-based compositions and methods useful for therapeutic indications amenable to treatment with gene therapies, including hematopoietic stem cell therapies, are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for accurately detecting mutations by uniquely tagging double stranded nucleic acid molecules with dual cyphers such that sequence data obtained from a sense strand can be linked to sequence data obtained from an anti-sense strand when sequenced, for example, by massively parallel sequencing methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring genetically modified tumor specific CD8+ T cells in the presence of tumor-specific, subset specific genetically modified CD4+ T cells, wherein the CD4+ T cells confer and/or augment a CD8+ T cells ability to sustain anti-tumor reactivity and increase and/or maximize tumor-specific proliferation of the tumor-specific CD8+ T cells of interest. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions for expansion of embryonic hematopoietic stem cells and providing hematopoietic function to human patients in need thereof. In one aspect, it relates to kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TGFp pathway. Also provided herein are methods for expanding embryonic hematopoietic stem cells using kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist, one or more growth factors, and, optionally, an inhibitor of the TOP? pathway. The embryonic hematopoietic stem cells expanded using the disclosed kits, compositions and methods include cells derived from an embryo (e.g., aorta-gonad-mesonephros region of the embryo), embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or reprogrammed cells of other types.

Abstract: Methods for preparing ex vivo T cell cultures using IL-21 compositions for use in adoptive immunotherapy are described. Addition of IL-21 to cultures of non-terminally differentiated T cells population, either isolated or present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are exposed to one or more tumor antigens, and in the presence of IL-21 compositions and antigen presenting cells (APCs), the resulting T cell population has an enhanced antigen-specificity, and can be reintroduced into the patient. Methods are also disclosed for identifying tumor antigens by culturing T cell populations exposed to IL-21 compositions and APCs in the presence of tumor material.

Abstract: Chlorotoxin variants, chlorotoxin variant conjugates, compositions that include the chlorotoxin variants or conjugates, and methods for using the chlorotoxin variants, conjugates, and compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, methods for the identification and isolation of viable putative long-lived antigen-specific memory CD8+ T cell subsets (CMhi and EMhi) with high surface expression of CD161 and/or IL-18R? and the capacity to rapidly efflux the fluorescent dye Rh123.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions that include such compounds, for preventing, treating, and/or protecting against sensory hair cell death. Methods of using the compounds, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions, kits, and methods to protect organs by inducing acquired cytoresistance without causing injury to the organ. The compositions, kits, and methods utilize heme proteins, iron and/or vitamin B12 and, optionally, agents that impact heme protein metabolism.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for treating or reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer by administering compounds capable of inhibiting the expression or activity of RUNX3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, kits and compositions for expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and providing hematopoietic function to human patients in need thereof. In one aspect, it relates to kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. Also provided herein are methods for expanding the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells using kits and compositions comprising a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. The hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells expanded using the disclosed kits, compositions and methods include human umbilical cord blood stem/progenitor cells, placental cord blood stem/progenitor cells and peripheral blood stem cells. The present invention also relates to administering hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells expanded using a combination of a Notch agonist and an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist to a patient for short-term and/or long-term in vivo repopulation benefits.

Abstract: Methods are described for diagnosis of a lymphoid hematological malignancy in a subject prior to treatment, and for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in the subject after treatment for the malignancy, by high throughput quantitative sequencing (HTS) of multiple unique adaptive immune receptor (TCR or Ig) encoding DNA molecules that have been amplified from DNA isolated from blood samples or other lymphoid cell-containing samples. Amplification employs oligonucleotide primer sets designed to amplify CDR3-encoding sequences within substantially all possible human VDJ or VJ combinations. Disease-characteristic adaptive immune receptor clonotypes occur, prior to treatment, at a relative frequency of at least 15-30% of rearranged receptor CDR3-encoding gene regions. Following treatment, persistence of at least one such clonotype at a detectable frequency of at least 10?6 or at least 10?5 receptor CDR3-encoding regions indicates MRD.

Abstract: A method of measuring immunocompetence is described. This method provides a means for assessing the effects of diseases or conditions that compromise the immune system and of therapies aimed to reconstitute it. This method is based on quantifying T-cell diversity by calculating the number of diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable regions from blood cells.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of a myc-driven tumor cell comprising the step of contacting the tumor cells with a CSNK1? inhibitor. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a subject suffering from a tumor comprising myc-driven tumor cells, comprising administering to the subject an amount of a composition comprising a CSNK1? inhibitor effective to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of the tumor cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for detecting a fungal pathogen in a patient sample, involving isolating the sample, carrying out a PCR reaction on the sample to generate an amplicon that includes a region of the fungal 28S ribosomal RNA gene, and detecting the PCR amplicon. Also disclosed are sequences of primers for specifically detecting a broad range of fungal pathogens in the presence of human ribosomal DNA. In certain embodiments, the amplicon is detected by sequencing or by two-dimensional melt-curve analysis. In yet other embodiments, more than one fungal pathogen is detected in a sample using the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the effectiveness of a cancer therapy, as well as methods for increasing the effectiveness of that therapy and determining a prognosis for a patient receiving that therapy.